Ishpeming Steps Up to 1st in UP D2

By John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com

June 1, 2014

KINGSFORD — After taking home the runner-up trophy a year ago, the Ishpeming boys track and field team took that final step up the podium in Saturday’s Upper Peninsula Division 2 Finals.

The Hematites collected 115 points, earning their first title since 2003. They were followed by defending champ Manistique with 76 and Hancock with 61.

“We looked back at the seeding times, and it looked like we were 30 points better than them,” said Ishpeming coach Scott Syrjala. “We knew Manistique was faster than that. It’s a real feather in our cap to win by nearly 40. The guys were showing up for Saturday and Sunday workouts because we had practice whenever the sun was shining.”

Ishpeming senior Noah Olgren won pole vault at 12 feet, with classmate Jordan Tousignant runner-up (11-6).

Senior teammate Bobby Zhulkie was runner-up to Newberry senior Leroy Ward-Harbaum in high jump (5-8) on a tie-breaker, and junior Tommy Potter placed second in the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 7.23 seconds, the 1,600 (4:57.9) and helped the Hematites place second in the 3,200 relay.

Ishpeming junior Nate Meyer placed second in the 400 (53.39) and senior Adam Prisk was third (54.07). Meyer added a third in the 200 (23.73). Prisk and Meyer also helped the winning 800 and 1,600 relays.

Manistique senior Ryan Ramey retained his 400 title (51.71), but yielded his 200 crown to L’Anse senior Ryan LaBerge (23.33). Ramey was runner-up in the 200 (23.63).

Senior teammate Tony Floyd won the 100 (11.64) and took fifth in the 200 (23.83).

Hancock had double-winners in senior Jacob Jarvis and sophomore Greg Hawthorne.

Jarvis won the 110 hurdles (15.65) and 300 (40.36) and helped the Bulldogs take second in the 800 relay. Hawthorne won shot put (51-/2) and retained his discus title (142-3).

“My starts have been good all day, and my legs have gotten a little quicker in the 110s,” said Jarvis, who will study at Michigan Tech this fall. “At the Regional (at West Iron County), I felt good and started thinking (winning both U.P. hurdle races) was a realistic goal.”

Ironwood junior Jared Joki became a triple-winner, taking the 800 (2:06.58), 1,600 (4:45.18) and 3,200 in a personal-best 10:19.36.

“It’s a great feeling to win here with some amazing competition,” said Joki. “It was hot out there. I have a couple friends in D-3 and you could tell the heat drained their energy. During the races, I didn’t think the heat was much of a factor. You just had to make sure you stayed hydrated.

“I had a lower body injury during the winter, otherwise I would have tried to go under 10 (in the 3,200). Overall, I’m pleased with the whole day.”

Click for full results. 

PHOTO: A pair of Ishpeming runners exchange the baton en route to winning the 1,600 relay at the U.P. Division 2 Final on Saturday at Kingsford. (Click to see more from RunMichigan.com.)

Performance of the Week: Lawton's Mason Mayne

April 25, 2024

Mason Mayne headshotMason Mayne ♦ Lawton
Junior ♦ Track & Field

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound two-way lineman is a sizable presence on the football field building toward a possible a big-time future in that sport – and he also dominates in the throws pit during track & field season. He’s undefeated in the shot put and discus this spring and won both at last Friday’s Comstock Invitational, tossing the shot 54 feet, 11 inches, and the discus 171-9.

Mayne finished second in shot put and third in discus at the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals last spring, and his top throws this season – 60-3 in shot and 175-4 in discus – are the farthest in the state, regardless of division. He also carries a grade-point average above 4.00 and has received several Division I football scholarship offers including opportunities to play for multiple Ivy League schools and U.S military academies.

@mhsaasports 🥏POW: Mason Mayne #trackandfield #lawton #letsgo #throw #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🥏POW: Mason Mayne #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #sourgummyworms #nighttime #food #phone #cheese #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

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Past 2023-24 Honorees

April 18: Alli Wright, Jenison softball - Report
April 11:
Chloe Wishart, Trenton soccer - Report
March 28:
Jenna Maki, Ishpeming basketball - Report
March 22:
Jaremiah Palmer, Niles Brandywine basketball - Report
March 15:
Leah Hodge, North Farmington gymnastics - Report
March 8:
Darius Marines, Detroit Catholic Central wrestling - Report
March 1:
Rylee Smith, Zeeland West bowling - Report
Feb. 22:
Caleb Lewandowski, Traverse City West skiing - Report
Feb. 15:
Jadin Mix, Onaway basketball - Report
Feb. 8:
Onalee Wallis, Cadillac skiing - Report
Feb. 1:
Abbey DeGraw, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek competitive cheer - Report
Jan. 25:
Ewan Todd, Riverview swimming - Report
Jan. 18:
Ashley Weller, Jackson Northwest basketball - Report
Jan. 11:
Michael Baldwin, Saginaw Arthur Hill wrestling - Report
Dec. 15:
Jena Fijolek, Fenton bowling - Report
Dec. 8:
Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1:
Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24:
Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17:
Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10:
Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3:
Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27:
Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20:
Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13:
Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5:
Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29:
MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22:
Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15:
Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8:
Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1:
Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report

(Photos by Chris McComis.)